California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914
P. W. BRUBECK. � One of the energetic young men who are helping
to build up the business interests of Fort Bragg is P. W. Brubeck, who was
born at Susanville, Lassen county, Cal., March 10, 1882. His father, L. W.
Brubeck, came from Indiana, crossing the plains in the '50s and becoming a
pioneer of Lassen county. He there improved and operated a farm until 1890,
when he removed to near Concord, Contra Costa county, where he owns a
ranch and is also interested in the Borges Land Company, engaged in the
real estate business. His wife was in maidenhood Louisa Grass, a native of
Indiana; her demise occurred at Concord. Of their seven children P. W. is
the oldest, being reared in the Honey Lake valley, where he learned farming
and cattle raising. His education was obtained in the public schools. Coming
with his parents to Concord in 1890. he there learned the barber's trade, after
which he started a shop in San Francisco, which he conducted until March,
1906. Then he came to Fort Bragg, leasing a shop in the Buck building, and
was just started when the earthquake of April, that year, caved the building,
resulting in a total loss to him. Nothing daunted he started another shop
immediately, and has been actively engaged in business ever since, his estab-
lishment now being located on Redwood avenue. The place is well equipped,
has four chairs and three baths, and is the largest and finest tonsorial estab-
lishment in Fort Bragg.
Nearly five years ago Mr. Brubeck saw the opportunity of engaging in
the moving picture business. Accordingly he made arrangements, and in
February, 1910, he opened the Union Theater on Franklin street, which has
been run steadily and been a success ever since. It is the most centrally
located theater in Fort Bragg and has a seating capacity of three hundred
and seventy-five. He is catering to the best trade and is using the Mutual
program, running four films each day, with a daily change of program.
The marriage of P. W. Brubeck and Catherine Rushing was celebrated
in Fort Bragg, where they have a host of friends and well-wishers. Fraternal-
ly he is a prominent member of Santana Tribe No. 60, I. O. R. M., of which
iie is past sachem. He is also a member of Elder Glen Parlor, N. S. G. W.,
and Fort Bragg Aerie No. 61, F. O. E., as well as the Knights of Pythias.